The ferry crossing the Jøsenfjord between Hjelmeland and Nesvik is not just any ferry. MF Hydra is the world's first passenger ferry powered by liquid hydrogen.
Only two users of liquid hydrogen exist in the world: this ferry and the space industry for rocket launches. That gives you an idea of the technological leap involved.
Why hydrogen here, when 70 other Norwegian ferries run perfectly well on batteries? This route was chosen as a pilot project. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration specifically required hydrogen in their tender. The goal was to develop the technology and safety regulations for longer routes where batteries alone will not be enough. Ironically, this short crossing could easily run on batteries, and the sister vessel MF Nesvik on the same route does exactly that.
MF Hydra was built by Westcon Yards and delivered in summer 2021, initially running on batteries. The fuel cells were installed in late 2022, and the ferry made its first hydrogen-powered voyage on 31 March 2023. You might notice the white tank near the bridge and steam rising from it. That steam is just water.
The crossing takes about 20 minutes. You are riding on a piece of maritime history, and a test bed for the future of zero-emission shipping.